Facilities Programming Study Completed Following Input from School Community

Members of the school community were involved in “visioning” sessions and working groups that assessed learning environments and other school spaces.

January 10, 2011

University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry recently completed a comprehensive facilities programming study to analyze the size and type of space required as the school moves ahead in planning its facility needs for the future.

The school hired Kahler Slater, an interdisciplinary design firm with extensive experience working with healthcare facilities and dental schools, to conduct the study between July and November 2010. The project was overseen by a core committee that included members of the University and dental school administration, as well as representatives from the school's Alumni Association and Pacific Dugoni Foundation.

As a result of the input, a "project vision" for facility space was developed as part of the study. The vision, which will help guide the school as it evaluates future needs for facilities, states: "The program for Pacific Dugoni will provide an innovative academic environment that supports the family spirit of the school, connects us to our community and supports our desire to be stewards of our environment. It will be comfortable, distinctive, inspiring and capable of adapting to new technologies, pedagogies and scholarship."

The school currently occupies approximately 202,000 square feet of space at 2155 Webster Street in San Francisco, which is used for classrooms, clinics and offices, and 119,000 square feet of space at 2130 Post Street, for student housing.

"This important study provides valuable insight into how we should plan for modern learning environments to ensure the school remains on the forefront of dental education," said Dr. Patrick J. Ferrillo, Jr., chair of the steering committee overseeing the facilities project for the University and dean of the dental school. "Our continued focus on facilities will help us meet the needs of students, employees, patients and other members of our school community for decades to come."